LSU Targetting No. 1 RB in Class of '14 Leonard Fournette

By Patrick Schmidt

Derick Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

LSU wrapped up another top-10 recruiting class in 2013, and one position was noticeably absent when looking at the incoming recruits. Les Miles and the Tigers did not sign one running back among the 27 commits they received this season.

One reason for that is young tailbacks Jeremy Hill and Kenny Hilliard return to the backfield after being the top two rushers last season, but the biggest reason is they are hoping to land Leonard Fournette (New Orleans, La. St. Augustine), the top back in the class of 2014.

Frank Wilson is heading up the recruiting of Fournette and the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator has to be considered in the driver’s seat, albeit early, to land the 6-1, 230-pound running back. Other schools in the mix for Fournette include Alabama, Florida, Michigan and Florida State.

Of those three schools only Florida State didn’t add a five-star running back this recruiting class. In fact, Alabama brought in four of the top 10 running back prospects this season led by record-breaking back, Derrick Henry, so I don’t envision a scenario where he goes to the Crimson Tide. Florida inked the top running back according to ESPN, Kelvin Taylor and Michigan signed consensus top-five back, Derrick Greento bolster the Wolverine backfield.

While Florida State is a viable challenger to get Fournette, the native of Louisiana will be pressured to stay in-state and attend LSU and continue his playing career not too far from where he starred as one of the best running backs in the state’s illustrious history.

Fournette is big, fast, strong and has a great feel for the game and LSU can ill afford to let the state’s top talent leave the state–something they rarely ever let happen–which is why I’m saying it’s an 80% chance Fournette is in purple and gold in 2014.